Necrotongue

An interesting group of friends, along with some partners, gather at Peter's estate for New Year's Eve. It's the kind of gathering that every psychiatrist dreams about; they could build a clientele to last them until retirement. The movie boasted some stellar performances, even though the plot wasn't as good. However, the dialogue and the good old English humor kept that fourth star shining. Beyond the cast and the positives mentioned earlier, I was captivated by the fictional dresser, the exhausted Brian constantly delivering exhausting humor, and the opening cabaret number that would leave the current champions of gender equality from the European Union and the United Kingdom in awe. Peter's friends remained my friends even on a rewatch, and catching up with them again brought me joy. / Lesson learned: Watch out for giant snowmen. They like to strike back.

Not gonna lie, the third episode did have its weaker moments – they were there, and I'm not oblivious to them. But I just didn't care because I was too busy enjoying the antics of Jen, Moss, and Douglas Reynholm. However, this time around, it was Roy who stole the spotlight. And no, I'm not talking about his unintentional office exhibitionism, but rather his two-hour street suffering that felt like it lasted for years. / Lesson learned: Want to help save a life? Go with your gut, but brace yourself for the consequences.

While the first episode of this season left me a bit disappointed, the second one totally won me over. Admittedly, I'll never be a man enough to discuss yesterday's Premier League events with a genuine Cockney accent (East End speak isn't my forte, and my interest waned when legends like Ruud van Nistelrooy left while prima donnas like Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben emerged). Losing two hundred pounds in a poker night isn't my style, and heists aren't my thing either. But I thoroughly enjoyed watching Moss and Roy navigate through all of that, and the talentless magician was just the icing on the cake. / Lesson learned: You can bluff your way through almost anything – there are even manuals for that.

Okay, the kick-off to the fourth season didn't exactly have me in stitches, despite Douglas Reynholm giving it his all. The thing was, I just couldn't get into the whole storyline with the builder, and Roy's banknotes didn't grab my attention (especially when they were just out of reach). The only one who managed to keep me entertained this time around, besides Douglas, was Moss and his run-in with bullying. / Lesson learned: Don't offend manual workers! You'll regret it!

The episode not only lived up to my expectations. It was a blast. I won't even gripe about the fact that the plot barely involved the company – it has nothing left to offer anyway. Instead, I relished all the nuances of Don's journey, witnessed Pete finally owning up officially, and admired how the Francises' storyline, despite its strong emotional tones, managed to avoid veering into melodrama. / Lesson learned: Is honesty really the best policy? I don't think so...

Having watched the series before, it's been so long that today, I can't quite recall how everything played out. But one thing is crystal clear – I'm going to miss the characters, the setting, the atmosphere, and the story. The creators make it abundantly clear with each subsequent episode that this farewell is imminent. The twelfth episode was a solid one, and I genuinely enjoyed it, even though the loss hit me on a more personal level. / Lesson learned: No matter how bad things get, they can always get worse.

The second season took a bit of a turn. Computers were pushed aside, and the creators dove into politically incorrect territory. But, hey, it's still nothing compared to the episode which included instructions on how to destroy the internet!! / Lesson learned: If you're into workplace romance, maybe consider building a time machine.

Towards the end of the second season, the creators finally owned up to the fact that computers weren't their real focus; instead, they were just unleashing their hidden sexual aggression. This time around, the viewer got the full blast – the episode was filled with men in their underwear, love potions, delicate women, and the debaucheries of the creepy Douglas Reynholm. / Lesson learned: Only get your medicine and magic potions from certified pharmacies.

I'm not saying that I didn't crack up during this episode, but truth be told, it was the weakest one so far. Moss, Roy, and Jen were on their A-game as usual, but there was this feeling that something didn't quite mesh, and it wasn't their fault. I blame the weak script, and the final scene clearly confirmed it. / Lesson learned: When you invent something that has the potential to set the world on fire, don't let the haters bring you down.

It's kind of weird how the IT department staff barely even deals with computers. Initially, I thought it might be an issue, but now I'm actually excited about all the theater shows, dinner parties, and girls' night outs they get into. Had a blast. / Lesson learned: Relationship problems can be easily sorted out with the right mix of consoles.